From now until December 24, shoppers may purchase an ornament at various donation amounts to hang in the window, filling the tree with signs of community compassion for homeless and abandoned cats and kittens. Rescued Treasures is located at 1270 Newell Avenue in the San Miguel shopping center.

Community Concern for Cats’ hospital/clinic, providing veterinary care for homeless and abandoned street cats helped this little one who had contracted tendon syndrome where the feet curl up. Dr. Josie, DVM, splinted both his back feet and legs and now he is perfect.

Donations to this third-annual Giving Tree have special importance this year. All funds raised will support CC4C’s recently-opened cat hospital in Clayton, providing spay/neuter surgery to help control the feral and homeless cat population in the county, as well as the routine and emergency medical treatment and surgeries needed to heal injured and ill cats rescued from the streets.

CC4C hopes to raise $9000 through this year’s Giving Tree, doubling the $4500 raised through the 2016 Tree. “This larger goal points to the magnitude of the costs involved in supplying and running our wonderful new clinic,” says CC4C President Gemma Osendorf. “We invite people to come to Rescued Treasures, select a kitty ornament and write their or their cat’s name on it — then see it hung on our window tree. Donors can also contribute through our Facebook page and our website, but that’s not as fun as experiencing our store’s bountiful displays of Christmas items, decor and special holiday apparel.”

So far this year, CC4C has neutered 2300 and found homes for 600 cats and kittens. The clinic is currently open only 3 days a week, performing 25-30 spay/neuter surgeries a day. The group hopes to expand to a fourth day when its various fundraising goals are met.